Department of Plant Sciences

Plant sciences

As a student in the Department of Plant Sciences (PS) you’ll work to advance research and address many local, regional and global challenges such as breeding plants to tolerate drought-stress, developing sustainable cropping practices and conserving plant species for future generations. Experiential learning and opportunities outside of the classroom will help you build professional skills and opportunities to network with field and industry professionals. With a degree in plant sciences, you’ll prepare for careers in the rapidly changing fields of applied and basic plant sciences and in modern production agriculture.

As a biotechnology and plant genomics major, you’ll work to increase a crop’s resistance to disease or pests. You’ll also have access to on-campus laboratories to learn cutting-edge molecular techniques to investigate how plants defend themselves or produce critical secondary metabolites.

In the crop science and management degree, you’ll gain a broad-based knowledge to grow and manage successful crops. This option is perfect if you’re interested in applied field agronomy, production agriculture, production management, plant science or pest management.

Learn about horticulture and study plant tissue culture, grafting, soil science, production of flowers, fruits, shrub trees and vegetables, pollination and more with the horticulture and urban agriculture degree. You’ll have access to the on-campus computer-controlled greenhouses and plant science farms to gain practical experience.

Minors in biotechnology and plant pathology, crop management, crop science and horticulture are available to complement any major.  

Academics

Explore our degree options to see which is right for you. Whether you’re interested in developing drought-resistant crops, understanding how pests and diseases affect plants, or improving the production of fruits, vegetables, flowers and landscape plants, we’ll supply you with the knowledge to address critical issues to help feed the world.

The Department of Plant Sciences also offers a master’s and Ph.D. program in plant science. You will work with professors who actively conduct research on a variety of topics and customize your program based on research interests.

Explore PS degrees

• Biotechnology and plant genomics, B.S.
• Crop science and management, B.S.
• Horticulture and urban agriculture, B.S.
• Plant science, M.S.
• Plant science, Ph.D.

Get involved

Plant Sciences offers the Plant and Soil Science Club, Hydroponics Club and Soil Stewards. These clubs provide you with opportunities to travel, earn scholarships and gain references from faculty. You’ll also develop leadership, communication and teamwork skills while receiving professional experience at conventions and meetings within the industry. In addition, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences offers more than 30 clubs, making it easy to find your passion and get involved. Learn about clubs and organizations.

Discover

Learn what current Plant Sciences students are up to, from internships to undergraduate research projects.

Key Plant Sciences research projects and programs

Learn about research in developing genetically superior Brassica oilseed and condiment mustard cultivars suitable for a wide range of environments throughout Idaho, the Pacific Northwest and other regions in the United States.

Plant sciences faculty are conducting numerous research and Extension activities related to Idaho’s signature crop. Check out the potatoes website to learn more.

The U of I Sandpoint Organic Agriculture Center is one of two USDA Certified Organic programs in U of I’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Learn more about this organic fruit orchard.

The Integrated Pest Management Center provides educational information and resources for the pest management needs of Idaho. The goal of this program is to reduce risks to human health, the environment and the economy caused by pests and pest management practices.

The U of I Seed Potato Germplasm Program in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences works to establish, maintain and distribute disease free germplasm and mini-tubers for domestic and international seed potato growers and researchers.

U of I’s Foundation Seed Program maintains approximately 120 varieties of wheat, barley, oats, beans, potatoes, peas, chickpeas, lentils, rapeseed, grasses, forbs and forage legumes.

The UI Extension cereals program evaluates and reports on cereal cultivar performances, conducts production and management trials, and studies cereal disease problems.

Meet our people

Specialty areas include cereal varietal adaptation, weed management practices, molecular genetics, wheat variety development, potato cropping systems, Brassica variety development, cropping systems, ornamental and landscape plants, potato storage, invasive plants, barley agronomy, potato variety development, potato postharvest research, water management and biotechnology.